"Do you want to go to China alone, without a group of tourists? - an employee of the Khabarovsk travel agency looked at me with undisguised horror. - You will get lost there, if only because you do not know the language!" "I assure you, everything will be fine, just help me get my visa!" - I insisted.
The desire to see the Celestial Empire was so strong that the instinct of self-preservation was dulled, and the inner voice persuaded to fly, because "there are so many interesting things!" At the same time, I wanted to move around the country on my own, without the standard tourist "look to the left, look to the right". It turned out that this is not difficult at all. Moreover, in my opinion, this is the most correct way to see the country in all its diversity. Of course, it would be nice to have acquaintances in China - this is how the most difficult issue is automatically solved - with the language. Also, knowledge local flavor and the advice of "insiders" can significantly reduce not only your transportation costs, but also insure against monetary losses, and in some cases save your stomach.
To the language barrier!
Before traveling, one should be aware that in China everyone speaks only Chinese. English is used very little, mainly in large cities like Beijing, Shanghai or Hong Kong. At first, of course, it's hard to get used to: all signs, announcements, schedules and menus consist of hieroglyphs that are rarely duplicated in English. At first, a phrasebook saved me, which contained not only the transcription of Chinese words, but also their spelling. After long trainings, of course, I learned how to pronounce basic expressions like "hello" and "how much" correctly, but I realized for myself that it is better to show more complex phrases by pointing my finger at a book. The fact is that there are so many dialects in Chinese that a Chinese from the north would never understand a southerner, and vice versa. For example, "forty-four" in Severian is "si shi si", and the inhabitants of the south say "si si si" - roughly like "shorok four". The official language is Mandarin - in translation "common language". The government goes to great lengths to train its citizens to speak in the same way. You turn on some kind of radio, and instead of music, all the way there is talk in Mandarin.
Where and how to go
South China is good at any time of the year. It is better not to go to the north in winter - the weather practically does not differ from our Central Siberian. When choosing a route, you need to take into account your financial capabilities and the duration of the visa. For those who want to start their journey from Beijing, it makes sense to take a direct flight ticket (about five hundred and fifty dollars round trip), and from there travel around the country by train. If you are limited in time, then you can fly from city to city and by plane - fortunately, in China they are affordable. I will tell you more about the railway connection. Tickets for any direction can be bought only at the railway station ticket offices. The only problem is explaining which ticket and where you need it. Moreover, it is advisable to do this in Chinese, because even if there is a window at the station with a sign "Foreigners", it is not a fact that the cashier girl speaks English.
You need to arrive at the station 20-30 minutes before the train leaves - this way you will pass the control relatively calmly. The train will set off minute by minute, and as soon as you get into a "traffic jam" of Chinese willing to leave with you, you are lost.
There are several classes of Chinese cars:
The cheapest - no seats. In them, passengers stand or lie on the floor - on newspapers, on whatever; Sedentary. It is better not to take risks if you go far, and your back is naughty; Hard slippers, reminiscent of our reserved seats, only shelves in three tiers, the bed is already made, and there are no side seats; The compartments, which look like Russian ones, only the cars are much cleaner, the beds are ruffled, and there are carpets on the floor. Each train has a dining car - after all, the Chinese are constantly eating something. On all trains, washstands are located in plain sight, separate from the toilet, and thus the morning queue for the closet is a rare occurrence. But you can, for example, enjoy the spectacle of the morning rinsing of the false jaw, which an unfamiliar Chinese grandmother does with great care.
I traveled from Beijing to Jinan in a hard slipper (about 6 hours), and the ticket cost me 73 yuan - about 200 rubles in our money. The price of a ticket from Beijing to Shanghai (overnight on the road) is 250 yuan, that is, about 685 rubles. Inexpensive, but I, for example, found it difficult to get used to Chinese trains... Basically, because passengers are constantly smoking, eating noodles "Doshirak", talking loudly and without hesitation - both men and women - walk around the carriage in underpants.
Where to live and what to take with you
A room with breakfast in a four-star hotel in the center of Harbin cost me 300 yuan per day (eight hundred and twenty rubles). The hotel was not bad, but only Chinese lived in it, and the staff did not understand a word of English. Attempts to ask where they have a gym looked like helpless waving hands - with the purpose of gestures to show the "simulator", and requests to wake up at a certain time caused confusion at the receptionist.
Hostels - youth hostels can become a more economical accommodation option for young people. One berth in double room at the International Youth Hostel, which is located right next to the central station in Beijing, it can cost 70 yuan (200 rubles) per day. Everything you need for life is available: a shower, a 24-hour bar and an Internet cafe. By the way, you can save even more if you stay in the "dorm" - a room with 3-12 beds and amenities in the corridor. Depending on the city, such accommodation costs 20-60 yuan (55-175 rubles) per night.
To this standard set of hotel search tools I will add one more - touts - an option to settle in private apartment... People offering "cheap apartments in the center of Beijing" crowd at train stations and ask for very little money. I myself have not tried it, but knowledgeable travelers assure that you should not be afraid of them - here, unlike, for example, India, there is no danger that there will be any problems with these apartments.
When traveling, I advise you to take a comfortable backpack, good sports shoes - for long hiking, a thermos (boiling water is available everywhere and free of charge) and more of some small souvenirs such as nesting dolls - the Chinese love to receive gifts and can even help you somehow as a thank you.
What to watch in China
Of all the cities, Beijing is of course the most impressive. Or, as foreigners call him, Beijin. After I visited it, it is easy to understand Quentin Tarantino, who came here to shoot his film "Kill Bill", and could not leave. I bought an apartment in Beijing and, according to rumors, eventually plans to move to the Middle Kingdom altogether. The city shocked me with its monumentality. I expected to see crowds of Chinese people rushing somewhere with crazy eyes, crowding in the streets, traffic jams. But none of this happened. The stream of people moved smoothly and without hysterical hustle and bustle, as in Moscow.
In architecture, two main directions are combined here: east and west. The first is represented by pagodas, with easily recognizable, upturned roofs and the obligatory dragons as a design element. The second is with skyscrapers, which do not block the space here at all.
Everyone who comes to Beijing for the first time begins to explore the city from the famous Tiananmen - the Square of Heavenly Peace. It is the largest in the world, accommodating one million people! It is always crowded here - not only because of foreign tourists, but also because of the Chinese, residents of distant provinces, who come to be sure to take pictures at the Mao Zedong mausoleum. Both adults and children fly kites on the square. You can also buy your own snake - in the form of a shark, butterfly or other monster.
On the square, I noticed a small child - 3-4 years old, who had a hole in the back of his pants and his naked butt was blown by the wind. I thought it was my parents' oversight. But then I saw a few more babies with the same strange cut of panties. It turned out that the thrifty Chinese do not like to spend money on diapers. The child wanted to use the toilet, sat down - and you're done!
In the mornings, at about six o'clock, the Chinese go out to the square and do group taijiquan - melancholic exercises, the meaning of which is sluggish hand passes and careful steps from side to side.
Not far from Mao's mausoleum is the entrance to the Forbidden City - huge complex palace buildings where the great emperors of the Qing and Ming dynasties lived. Hundreds of pagodas, thousands of courtyards - the spectacle is striking in its scale. Previously, mere mortals were forbidden to enter here, but now they can - for only 10 yuan (27 rubles).
Leaving the Forbidden City, you find yourself in the wonderful Beihai Park (North Sea Park), where the crowned persons rested, apparently indulging in thoughts of the fatherland. Needless to say - the Chinese know a lot about landscape architecture. Half of the area is occupied by a lake, around which weeping willows grow of crazy beauty. This park is adored by couples in love and calligraphers. The first - because it is allowed to kiss calmly on the benches, the second - because you can draw hieroglyphs with water right on the asphalt.
From the park you can walk to famous Temple Heaven. Now China is probably the most unbelieving country in the world (ninety-five percent are atheists). And before they believed in Heaven and other deities. The road to the temple is already a test. For about half an hour you have to walk along a narrow stone path. It was very instructive when, at the last stage of the ascent, a dry Chinese old woman, who was panting and wheezing, overtook me, overcame the path easily and naturally.
There is a Whisper Wall on the territory of the temple. It is semicircular in shape, and this allows you to hear the interlocutor, even if he is standing a hundred meters from you and muttering something under his breath. The Chinese love to have fun, standing for hours against the wall at a distance from each other and talking.
Fewer discoveries awaited me in Shanghai. Maybe because it is very modern, or maybe because I did not stay there for long. As soon as this city was not called at different times: both the "Paris of the East" and the "Chinese Whore" ... It is a city of adventurers, gamblers, sailors, opium dealers and opium addicts, a city of child prostitution and slave child labor, a city of socialists, communists and revolutionaries , home of the Chinese Communist Party, cradle of the Revolution and home of the Shanghai Commune. It is home to 6.5 million people - one of the highest population densities in the world. There are a lot of skyscrapers here. And they, unlike the Peking ones, press. Fashionable buildings easily coexist with old buildings, from which ropes with linen strung on them stretch in all directions. It is not at all shameful to hang out to everyone the old faded panties and leggings.
In the center of the city there is a wide asphalted space of the People's Square. Processions and demonstrations were held here. In 1969, 2.5 million people gathered in the square to protest against Soviet Union... And now the walkers are peacefully feeding the pigeons.
On the streets, you can see both young yuppies and informals. During the walk I happened to meet real Chinese punks. They had a rather wasted look, despite the traditional hedgehog hair, spiked jackets, grinders and guitars on the backs. Themselves - skinny and unkempt. When they tried to play some of the Sex Pistols in front of the department store, I wanted to go over and feed them a hot lunch.
Walking in Shanghai is a must. Better - according to Nanjing Lu, main street... Bright shop windows, neon signs everywhere. And shops, shops, shops. Nanjing Lu leads to the embankment of the Huangpu River. Once in colonial times, there was a famous sign at the entrance: "Dogs and Chinese are not allowed in." Today, crowds of Chinese and foreigners roam here, admiring the view of the night Banda.
Rotten eggs and duck skins
It is often joked about the Chinese that they consume everything that flies, except for airplanes, everything that moves on land, except for a tractor, and everything that floats in the water, except for a submarine.
Chinese chefs adhere to the principles of culinary art, which developed five thousand years ago. They love unexpected food combinations: meat with sugar and fruit, seaweed with nuts, flower petals with hot peppers, hedgehogs with spices. In order to cook broth, for example, they can take beef, poultry and fish at the same time.
There are about 14 culinary schools in China, the most famous of which are Shandong, Sichuan, Jiangsu Zhejiang, Peking and Guangdong. The latter is the most "extreme". It uses snakes, field mice, wild cats, dogs, seals, crocodiles, bear paws, monkey brains, bird tongues. The technology of some dishes is simply savage. When preparing the Kunming Lake Fried Carp dish, scraping, cutting, toasting and serving takes only four minutes. When the fish is served, it still opens its mouth and the gills move for thirty minutes. This agony continues even when the fish is eaten to the bone. The secret of such vitality is that the fish's head is not fried and the central nervous system is preserved. In general, Greenpeace is resting.
"Queen of the Chinese table" - Peking duck. Instead of duck, however, they bring duck skins, which makes tourists very surprised. But if you come to a fish restaurant, it's hard to make a mistake: everything floats in aquariums. You come up, choose - and in ten minutes they already bring you a dish. True, it was difficult for me to come to terms with the fact that the selected fish was being killed with a shoe in front of my eyes, causing its insides to fly all over the restaurant.
The Chinese also love rotten duck eggs. To prepare such an egg, it must be kept in lime for 30 days! Its yolk is black and has an indescribable taste. The protein is like rubber, almost transparent in appearance.
In a restaurant of an average level and below, the Chinese "average level and below" behave completely, from a European point of view, like a pig: blow their nose and spit right on the floor, throw off napkins, bones and leftovers there, yell at the whole room, especially when drink. By the way, they cough up on the streets - loudly, wiping their nose and mouth with their hand. Even women.
The Chinese love to put food on each other's plate. And when the bill is brought in, a serious dispute flares up between them: who will pay. Everyone strives to do this for everyone in order to prove their privileged position. Our compatriots are happy to go to restaurants with the Chinese ...
Observing behavior
The Chinese are very loud people. Their guttural voices are one of a kind. An anecdotal incident occurred once in the United States. Two people from Guangdong province were having a peaceful conversation, but the Americans passing by thought they were about to undress and called the police. The police demanded clarification, but two interlocutors replied that they spoke "in a whisper."
Why are they screaming? The Chinese believes that the stronger and higher his voice, the more convincing his arguments look.
In a country with a population of nearly 1.3 billion people, more than a quarter of the population regularly plays sports. All educational institutions, enterprises and institutions, villages, subdivisions of the People's Liberation Army of China, the elderly and the disabled are covered by mass physical education. The Chinese habit of doing group exercises is known throughout the world. Moreover, they do it at different times of the day. Many practice in groups and to music, but there are also individuals. There are athletes with sticks. They wave them like Shaolin monks right in the streets.
It is very common to see people walking backwards. This is probably an exercise for the development of the vestibular apparatus. In every city there are courtyards equipped with shaping equipment, available to everyone, and free of charge. Old men famously throw their feet on the tall railings, and sometimes sit on the twine. And with millions of Chinese people pedaling their bicycles every day on the way to and from work, their legs are pumped up.
Amid the craze for sports, the Chinese smoke and drink a lot. Vodka and cigarettes are sold everywhere, although the quality is terrible. There are 320 million smokers in China, of which twenty million are women. Hence the large number of "nicotine deaths". But no one indulges in addiction on the streets - the Chinese prefer to do it in a relaxed atmosphere: in a restaurant or bar.
Overall, I am happy with my trip. Maybe I saw this country not from the most romantic-glossy side, but, in any case, the trip left a lot of impressions and memories.
Yes. I agree with the previous comment that Beijing has long faded before Shanghai and Hong Kong, and reminds Moscow of the 80s, where the Author saw so much unusual there, it is not clear, for me Beijing is always, on the contrary, only a transshipment base, others are much more interesting Chinese cities, in this case I do not mean cultural monuments, of which there are many in Beijing.
25.07.11
Natalia
indeed, the commentary is very detailed. but the feeling is that the author visited China 10 years ago (the description of Shanghai is exactly 10 years ago, the spirit of communism does not soar there, unambiguously). although, perhaps, if you take a ride around the country in second-class carriage, yet it will not seem that way.
05.06.10
Olga
Good afternoon, thank you very much for such a detailed comment. I myself plan to go without a guide, and it was important for me to understand how much this is possible at all, and your feedback turned out to be more than decisive in favor of a trip without a guide, thanks again!
01.03.10
Yana
Despite the fact that China is becoming more and more popular with tourists from all over the world every year, reviews on the Internet of our compatriots about trips to China are, to put it mildly, ambiguous, so let's talk about those features of the country that may be unacceptable for some travelers.
1. If the validity of your passport is less than 6 months from the end of the planned tour, choose another country
In the Chinese consulate, all documentary formalities are strictly observed, therefore, in order to avoid problems with obtaining a visa and disrupting the trip, it is better not to risk it and take care of a new passport in advance.
2. If you are not ready for the additional hassle of obtaining a Chinese visa
There is nothing fundamentally difficult in preparing documents for obtaining a Chinese visa - no extra certificates are required, only a passport, an application form, copies of a Russian passport, a photograph and an invitation from the Chinese side. Consular fee under tourist trip- 1500 rubles. Moreover, if you are planning to have a rest in Hainan, then when you are taking a direct flight from Moscow, you do not need a visa at all!
Mountain Lake in China
3. If in principle you fly only on charter flights, then - alas!
You can only get to China regular flights airlines Hainan Airlines, Aeroflot, etc. From St. Petersburg to Beijing, planes fly on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Accordingly, the duration of the trip should be "adjusted" to the airline's schedule. Flight time is about 7 hours.
China
4. If, when traveling by train, you are accustomed to redeeming the entire compartment in order to feel comfortable, then in China you will have to fly on airplanes.
In China, it is impossible to redeem a coupe in whole or in part, that is, if the program includes sightseeing tour If you are planning to travel by train between cities, then you will have to share the four-seater compartment either with the tourists from your group or with the Chinese. There are no two-seater coupes. As a rule, transfers between cities are nighttime and last about 12 hours, for example, between Beijing and Xi'an.
One of the entrances to Forbidden City
If this question is of fundamental importance to you, the option of moving on domestic flights remains. By the way, China has very developed air traffic and a fairly high level of flight safety. Baggage rules in hand luggage even more stringent than those accepted throughout the world.
China
5. If you are intolerant of tobacco smoke, choose another country or stock up on a respirator
The Chinese smoke a lot. Accordingly, almost everywhere it smells of tobacco, in hotels you come across smoky rooms, in hotel lobbies, guests also smoke. It is forbidden to smoke in the train compartment, in restaurants you can choose a room for non-smoking visitors.
Chinese hinterland
6. If you are on a special diet or very selective in food, take your favorite (preferred) foods with you
A lot has been written and told that Chinese cuisine is very peculiar, but how much it suits you personally, you will only understand, so to speak, "on the spot." Someone lacks meat - indeed, the basis of the Chinese diet is stewed, boiled, stewed vegetables, noodles and rice. Someone does not tolerate spicy and salty. If in Beijing, Shanghai and other large cities it is still possible to find food adapted for a European, then in the provinces there will be a problem with this. You will find the cutlery we are accustomed to only in large cities; in the outback, you will have to eat with chopsticks. Of course, there are places in China, chosen by the British and Americans, where the cuisine and other amenities are at the highest level, for example, nature reserve pandas, but this is rather an exception.
Giant Buddha statue, Leshan
7. If you have experienced culture shock when visiting public toilets in the former Soviet Union (or modern India) and do not want to see them again, then choose another country to travel.
All public toilets in China are free. Tourists who find Soviet "conveniences", seeing Chinese ones, think "scoop." Indeed, very similar: two soles and a metal bowl at floor level, no toilet paper and a corresponding smell. So for those tourists who still go to China, advice - take toilet paper and wet wipes with you.
8. If you prefer silence and solitude, and your personal psychologically comfortable space is one and a half meters - choose another country
There are many people in China. Not even that - there are A LOT OF PEOPLE in China! This fact actually entails a lot of the most diverse consequences, namely: everyone constantly bumps each other with their elbows and other parts of the body, they talk quite loudly, therefore they are very noisy, they look with sincere but completely unceremonious curiosity at everything interesting and unusual, for example, you
Against the background of the Great Wall of China
9. If the budget of your trip involves an amount of less than 50 thousand rubles per person, then you need to choose another country or take out a loan
The most budgetary option for exploring China is a week-long tour to Beijing. Today it costs from 50 thousand rubles per person. If, within a week's stay, you want to see also Xi'an (the terracotta army) and Shanghai, count on an amount of at least 70 thousand rubles per person. In order not only to see the main cities, but also to relax for a week on the island of Hainan, budget from 100 thousand per person. Treatment in China is very popular among the stars of domestic and international show business - both in the central part and on the island of Hainan.
In order to feel comfortable when planning a tour and directly on a trip, you can use the installment payment service, which is offered, for example, by our company for up to 7 months at 0% per annum.
Rice Field Village, China
10. If your vacation falls on the founding of the Republic of China or Chinese New Year, travel to another country
There are two grand holidays in China - the day of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the Chinese New Year... During these periods - from 28.09 to 04.10 and the last decade of February-early March (celebrated according to the lunar calendar, so there are no exact dates) - there are official public holidays in China, and all Chinese begin to travel en masse within the country. Hotel prices are tripled, and crowds begin at tourist sites. So it's better to plan your trip for other dates. The perfect time, especially for combined tours- this is spring and autumn, when it is warm on the mainland and on the island of Hainan it is not yet very hot.
Among other tourists, China
In conclusion, I want to say: I am sure that a trip to China will not leave anyone indifferent. Our tourists return from this multifaceted country with consistently positive impressions.
Panda
If you have any questions, please write: [email protected]
It is a crime to visit China and not visit the Great Wall of China. True, here, as elsewhere in China, there is a problem of choice: to go on our own or with an organized tour, but here it is further aggravated by the question: where exactly to go, to which section of the wall? Let's share our trial and error in this matter.
How to go?
China is probably the only country we have visited where I am ready to advocate for organized excursions. For 2 months spent here, I'm already pretty fed up with the fact that nothing works the first time, and the information in the guidebooks very often differs significantly from what it really is. But on the other hand, excursions for foreigners on English language from official travel agencies cost some kind of cosmic money, and if budget option there is a risk of riding a bus full of shouting Chinese or shining a light on most time not to walk along the wall, but to visit tea and onyx shops.
In addition, an excursion to the Great Wall of China is one of the most popular routes of the Beijing Ostap Benders. It looks like this: on the street a barker sticks to you, who convinces you to buy an excursion to the Great Wall of China from him. He says that he has been working at this place since the time of Comrade Mao himself, his excursions are the best and cheapest, shows a photo satisfied customers and claims that a queue of tourists is lining up to him, but he liked you and therefore he will be happy to take you tomorrow.
He broadcasts this very eloquently and convincingly, and you already almost agree, especially since the kind "guide" does not even ask you for the entire cost of the excursion at once, 20-30 percent, to reserve a place for you. He "swears by his mother" that he will not cheat and tomorrow at the appointed time will pick you up right from the hotel. But tomorrow comes, but there is no bus, there is no guide in "his place", there is no money either.
We were warned in advance about the possibility of such a layout, as well as about us, and therefore immediately rejected such proposals, and, I want to note, there were quite a few of them. Comparing all the pros and cons, we once again chose an independent examination, and never regretted, almost ...
Where to go?
Currently, several sections of the wall are open for inspection: Badaling, Mutianyu, Symytai, Jinshanling, Huanghua, Jiugulou. Having studied the guidebooks, the endless expanses of the Internet and tourist forums, we came to the conclusion that on our own one day you can only get to the first two: Badaling and Mutianyu. Badaling is the most accessible section of the wall and therefore the most visited, so initially we decided to go to Mutianyu.
Mutianyu
So, in theory, to get to Mutianyu, you first need to find bus terminal located at the metro station Dongjimen... Everything is aggravated by the fact that you do not need the main terminal, which is located near the metro, but some additional one. Finding it is not easy, since there are no pointers, and all the verbose descriptions on the Internet are really of little help. It is good that we always try to give the exact location of the desired objects on the map, and you will not have such problems.
After you have found the bus station in half with grief, you need to go to the very depths, there will be a stop for the bus you need, or rather buses, since we found information that buses either 867 or 936 go to Mutianyu from this station. One important detail, if you believe the information we found, buses on route 867 leave at 7:00 and 8:30 in the morning, so you will have to get up early. We arrived at the station at about 7:30 and bus 867 was already (or still) at the stop, we showed the driver the hieroglyphs recorded in advance, to which he explained with gestures as best he could that he was not going to Mutianyu, but was going to the place from where we should go next by taxi. Ok, we decided, so the 936 is definitely going where we need it. And they began to wait for him (by the way, the 867th bus departed at 8:00).
Besides us, there were some Japanese, Chinese with cameras and a European with the Lonely Planet guide at the stop. By the way, he twirled a little between the buses and quickly retreated somewhere. Somewhere at 8:30 the coveted bus arrived and we plunged there merrily. Moreover, there was a real feeling that little ones were swarming around you, in my memory, only schoolchildren can change their place so many times. Before the departure, the conductor came up to us and asked where we were going, in Chinese, of course. By the way, in Xi'an, when we went to watch the terracotta army, the conductor spoke excellent English, what does it mean.
In response to this, we, as in the case of the previous bus, showed her the hieroglyphs prepared in advance and prepared for departure. But it was not there. Our hieroglyphs did not suit her for some reason, she, together with the driver, began to make some noise, shout and actually pushed us out of the bus. What it was and why remained a mystery to us, as well as the whole of China)))
Accustomed to the fact that we can't do anything the first time in the Middle Kingdom, we decided to try our luck the next day, but in the meantime go to see the Olympic facilities. Since we did not want to tempt fate with the conductors and Mutianyu again, and therefore decided to use plan B, i.e. go to Badalin.
Badalin
Of course, this is the most touristy of all possible options for the wall, but a train goes there. And the train for us - The best way to get to difficult sights, which has helped us out many times, for example, in Kunming, when we.
So, trains to Badaling leave from northern railway station, it is at the station Xinghimen... All trains of the direction we need have a 4-digit number, starting with "S2", and then 01-99. In this case, the odd numbers go to Badaling, and the even numbers go to Beijing. By the way, this direction appeared not so long ago - it was built for the Summer Olympics in Beijing.
The train schedule is posted on the stand, but in China everything changes so quickly that I do not spoil its relevance. Tickets are sold on the same day, that is, they cannot be purchased in advance. The procedure for traveling to the one that to the other side is about the same.
You buy a ticket at the box office (by the way, it costs only 6 CNY), go inside the station and run into a queue. The Chinese have an unreal love for queues: they first create it from scratch, and then try to deceive everyone and crawl around. But there's nothing you can do about it - you have to stand, as metal guides very rigidly regulate the order of the most nimble tourists. They are allowed on the platform 15 minutes before departure, and here the fun begins ...
The point is that the train is parked far enough from the station building. Therefore, having come out on the platform, everyone runs merrily to the train, hoping to take their seats. The attraction is still, especially considering that the curbs on the platform are very slippery and this run can easily end in serious injuries.
An interesting observation, the Chinese for some reason prefer to climb into the very first carriage, the closest to them, and then move further inside the train. If you are not too lazy and run to the end of the train, the likelihood of taking a seat increases significantly.
One and a half - two hours on the train and we are there. Then the whole crowd merrily falls out of the train and walks towards the wall, for about 10-20 minutes, depending on the speed and the number of photos taken along the road. It is important to remember that Badalin is not a terminal station, but since the bulk of passengers leave exactly here
In the early 2000s, Chinese citizens made only 10.5 million trips. By 2017, the number of such trips has grown to 145 million - an incredible 1,380%!
In less than 20 years the market international tourism China has reached the highest position in the world, ahead of even the United States. According to the World tourism organization, in 2016, Chinese tourists spent in other countries $ 261.1 billion; in 2000 this amount was about $ 10 billion. According to preliminary data, in 2017, their spending amounted to about $ 300 billion. American tourists spent a relatively small $ 123.6 billion in 2016.
It is noteworthy that only 7% of Chinese - 99 million people - travel actively. For comparison: the share of such citizens among the US population is 40%, and in the UK - 76%. Thus, the potential for growth in China's tourism market with a population of 1.4 billion is staggering. in China, it is predicted that more than 400 million Chinese will travel by 2030.
According to the institute, this means that of the 600 million travels that will add to the current number by 2030 (now 1.2 billion people travel, in 12 years their number will grow to 1.8 billion), almost half will be made by the Chinese. China's international tourism market will account for nearly a quarter of the global one.
It is not surprising that tourism departments of various countries are already trying to attract a growing army. Chinese tourists... For example, the Visit Britain ad campaign started back in 2014. Tour operators, hotels and sightseeing officials were required to provide information in Cantonese or Mandarin, and to adapt products to the Chinese market and culture.
Where do Chinese tourists go?
The number of 145 million overseas trips can be misleading: the calculations took into account the special administrative regions of China - Hong Kong and Macau, as well as the island of Taiwan, which the state considers its territory. In 2017, 69.5 million tourists visited these regions.
Domestic tourism is also very popular with the Chinese people. A lot of tourists travel to Beijing and Shanghai. Due to the influx of guests on weekends, they even block the movement of cars on the main streets. According to Sally Pekk, an expert at Telegraph Travel, who lived in China in the past, destinations related to recent history country. For example, many visit the Three Gorges Dam in China's impoverished industrial region. Young tourists looking for thrill travel to the mountainous province of Yunnan, which borders Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam and is one of the most ethnically diverse regions in China.
The Great Wall of China sometimes looks like this
Other Asian countries are also benefiting from the growth in tourism among the Chinese. Top ten popular destinations among them are Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, South Korea and Singapore. The USA and Italy are at the bottom of the rating.
Tourism Industry Growth in Thailand
1990 - 5.3 million tourists annually
1995 - 7 million tourists annually
1998 - 7.8 million tourists annually
2005 - 11.6 million tourists annually
2010 - 15.9 million tourists annually
2014 - 24.8 million tourists annually
2015 - 29.9 million tourists annually
2016 - 32.6 million tourists annually
2017 - 35.4 million tourists annually
The most popular locations are Phuket in the south of the country and Chiang Mai in the north.
With the growing popularity of tourism in China, the rates of travel in neighboring countries have also increased.
Thailand, the leader after Hong Kong and Macau, received 35.4 million foreign tourists last year, an increase of 668% over 1990 (5.3 million tourists). In 2017, 28.4 million tourists arrived in Japan (887% more than in 1990 - 3.2 million). Only 250 thousand travelers arrived in Vietnam in 1990; in 2017, 12.9 million people visited the country - an increase of 5 160%! All of these indicators would not have been possible without Chinese tourists.
China Airport Development
The tourist activity of the Chinese has provoked the rapid expansion of the country's airports. In 2017, nine of them made the list of the 50 busiest airports in the world, and three - in the top ten. In 2010, these indicators were, respectively, six airports in the long list and one in the top ten.
Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, for example, is one of the fastest growing hubs in the world. In 2017, it received 65.8 million passengers, while in 2000 - only 12.8 million.
How do Chinese tourists look and behave?
A recent European Commission report says that for the Chinese, "time is the most precious resource." They prefer to travel efficiently - not staying in the sights for a long time. Chinese tourists in Europe are most interested in its art and culture, as well as small towns... They save on food, housing and transport, but they are willing to go shopping.
According to Sally Peck, when Chinese people come to Europe, they try to visit each of largest capitals and go shopping there. The British boutique town of Bister Village, almost entirely composed of shops, is no less popular with Chinese tourists than Buckingham Palace.
“The Chinese prefer popular attractions like Big Ben in London or vineyards in Bordeaux,” notes Pekk. Little known places they are not very interested.
When it comes to looks, the Chinese prefer baseball caps or visors with their tour operator's logo, and they wear conspicuous photographic equipment invariably, says Pekk. Also, according to her, many Chinese women choose completely unsuitable shoes on trips. For example, in the mountains you can often meet tourists in high heels.
Over-tourism risks
Cities such as Venice, Barcelona and Dubrovnik are currently suffering from an influx of tourists. Experts fear that growth Chinese tourism can make staying in them even unbearable.
How and where is it better to go to China
China is the pearl of Asia. A country that can accommodate not only a billion people, but also all kinds of tourist diversity. Given that the PRC is a fairly large country, the first thing to do is to outline your route and what you should see. In the Celestial Empire, you can find both megalopolises and protected areas, ancient cities.
Beijing - a trip to the capital
The main starting point for traveling in China is Beijing. We must remember that this is the most expensive city in China. Its pricing policy is several times higher than prices in other cities. This is due to the fact that he is one of the main tourist areas.
Not worth visiting tourist places during national holidays... Since they will be packed not only with tourists, but also with the Chinese themselves. If you are interested in China's natural treasures, then you are definitely not in Beijing. Despite the fact that the capital is a fairly expensive city, there will be no problem with budget housing. For a small amount, you can easily stay at three-star hotel near the city center.
If you happen to be in Beijing, you can see sights such as Summer palace, Great Wall of China, Forbidden City and its adjacent Beihai Park, Temple of Heaven, Yonghegong Buddhist Temple and Tiananmen Square. These tourist attractions are pretty cheap. At the same time, while visiting the Great Wall of China, you can visit several adjacent museums for free.
The main thing to remember in Beijing is that it is a major center for tourist fraud. One of the most popular schemes is that you are invited to a small teahouse, some unfamiliar Chinese person begins to be interested in the fact that you are a tourist. He wants to get to know your culture and tell you about China. Such people often know English quite well and, most likely, the institution to which he will lead you will be practically empty. The Chinese will offer you to place an order, regardless of the prices, and will recommend what to order. Therefore, be sure to look at the menu.
As a result, they will bring you a bill for a large amount, and a new friend will offer to pay the larger part. But at the same time, your part will still cost more than the menu. Such people often negotiate with the owners of such tea establishments in order to deceive tourists. So always look at the prices and don't trust the Chinese.
Shanghai
Another city in China that you should definitely visit is Shanghai. What to watch here? For example, the Pearl of the East - this is the name of the huge TV tower 468 meters high, which has long become business card of this city. It is worth climbing this tower in order to admire the views of the city at night - there is observation deck and even a revolving restaurant for special connoisseurs.
If you are looking for entertainment, then take a walk along Nanjing Lu Street, which stretches 14 kilometers from the embankment into the city. Part of the street is a pedestrian zone where you will find restaurants, shops, street vendors and other entertainment that always attracts tourists. However, car roads and multi-tiered interchanges here are also striking in their scope and scale.
Shahai is also known for the Yuyuan Park, it is also the Park of Joy. If you like the traditional Chinese style of parkland, then this park will definitely impress you. There are rocks, picturesque bridges, various plants of unusual shapes and types, and pavilions that adorn the park and create an atmosphere of good mood.
Even in Shanghai, you can go to the Jade Buddha Temple, which was built as early as 1882, or visit the Longhuase Monastery, which is both the oldest and largest monastic complex.
But these are not only chic shops and skyscrapers of millionaires, there are also poor neighborhoods in China. And if you want to get to know this country better, it is worth looking not only at the front, but also at the wrong side.
Hong Kong
This is not China itself, but its special administrative region. But here you can learn about his culture as much as in his other provinces. An important point is the fact that Hong Kong is a fairly cheap territory in China. Its southern part is of greater interest, since the north of Hong Kong is an economic zone. southern part- this is the area where you can find the same as in China, but cheaper. There are big cities, natural beauty, Buddhist temples. Located on an island.
One of the prides of Hong Kong is its own Disneyland. It is much more compact than other Disneylands in the world, it has oriental motives, but in terms of entertainment and thematic zones, it is not inferior to its larger counterparts. But it wins from them due to more democratic prices.
Also here you can look at Victoria Peak - this is the most high point Hong Kong, its height is 552 meters, and to get to the top, you will need to ride a cable-rail tram, and this in itself can be an interesting adventure.
If you want to take a break from big city, visit the fishermen village of Aberdeen. Here you can dine in a water restaurant, hire a boat to ride around the village and look at the sampans - traditional boat houses that were popular in China in the early centuries and have survived to this day. At the same time, see how the simple live locals- helps to understand the country.
An additional bonus - a visa to Hong Kong for Russians is not needed if the period of stay is no more than 14 days and if you do not plan to leave somewhere. But if you are going to the same Beijing or Shanghai, you will have to apply for a Chinese visa. Ordinary areas in Hong Kong are similar to all others in Major cities China is cramped, crowded, a lot of signs and piles of houses on top of each other:
Macau
Macau, aka Macau, is another separate administrative region of China along with Hong Kong. It is located in southern China, so it is quite possible to come here to relax in winter, at this time it is about +15 degrees, but if you want it to be warm and sunny - come to Macau in November-December.
Previously, this place belonged to Portugal (was its colony), so here you can observe an interesting clash of European and Chinese styles in architecture, as well as in the way of life.
Here you should look at strange fortresses, mansions and other buildings, as well as try an extraordinary local cuisine... Incidentally, Macau was returned to China only in 1999.
What to do in Macau? Of course, to play all kinds of gambling, it is not for nothing that this area is considered the gaming capital of China. Here casinos and other gambling are legalized, so it's no wonder that thousands of adventurers from all over the world come here, so why not go from Russia too? In fact, Macau is China's Las Vegas with no less scope.
Tibet
This the best place to inspire your personality and the opportunity to get to know the mountainous China. A big plus is that you can visit many temples for free. The only recommendation is to leave small offerings. You can also make a wish, buy a fairly cheap souvenir for good luck.
And, as a bonus, while walking in the mountains, you can enjoy the beautiful views for free. But in this case, you should still use the services of a guide, since it is easy to get lost there. To make it cheaper, you can join large groups with other foreigners.
One of the main tourist areas in Tibet is the Potala Palace. The palace complex, which includes the palace itself, a temple and a large park. It is possible to hire a guide and go on a short or long trek along the mountain trails, staying in small hotels for tourists, but here you will need some special equipment, for example, trekking poles, as well as clothing and shoes suitable for such trips.
However, it is not for nothing that Tibet is called the Roof of the World - it is worth coming here in order to understand yourself by going on this spiritual journey. Forget entertainment, restaurants, luxury hotels- come to Tibet and get something much more important for your self-development.
... I advise you to rent a car through two services:
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